In the apparel industry, there are many forms of co-branding such as ingredient, same-company, national to local, joint venture and lastly multiple sponsor c0-branding. In short, the business of co-branding is a marketing strategy that merges multiple brand names as a strategic alliance based on a good or service that aligns with both brands. More importantly, a successful fashion/art co-branding partnership many times has strategy to create brand awareness as well as sales simultaneously inviting consumers are both end to experience the rich brand culture developing together. Plain and simple, it is a hybrid. More to the point, it is a hybrid that can many times sing to the tune of millions (even billions!) of dollars.
When I speak about brand partnerships within the apparel industry, I am referring to several different types of branding collaborations. At present, luxury fashion and master artists are aligning with co-branding vibes more than ever. For example in October 2020, Louis Vuitton collaborated with six leading international artists to bring their fine craftsmanship and creative visions the house’s well known Capucines bag. The iconic french luxury brand along with the momentous power of global fashion power LVMH has created temporary artist residencies in cosmopolitan cities around the word.
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 20: A model walks the runway during the Dior Hommes Ready to Wear … [+] Fall/Winter 2021-2022 fashion show as part of the Paris Men Fashion Week on July 20, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Despite the distinctive differences between apparel and art, reinterpreted works by artists are very popular now being reimagined in a symbolic way for today’s consumer who fancies limited-edition pieces created by a handful of the finest luxury fashion brands relevant today.
Today, both the millennials and Gen Z generations have developing their entrepreneurial spirit to take on the fresh consumer base. One such artist is Seek One. At 28 years of age, Seek One has succeeded in building his brand to the next level in art and c0-branding. In an oversaturated art business what helped him achieve popularity is his unique style of mixed media art. In fact, it is this form of artwork that helped him develop a connection with today’s top-musicians, athletes, and celebrities-all of whom have commissioned his artwork.
His path as a contemporary street artist started with his passion for photography and graffiti art. More importantly, graffiti art has co-branded in lucrative fashion house partnerships as consumers witness a rise in streetwear originating from the shores of sunny California to the runways of Dior, Louis Vuitton and Raf Simmons.
With some encouragement for his advisors, he set out to exhibit at several gallery shows in both Philadelphia and New York City. In addition, Seek One posted his artwork on the various social media platforms to maintain and grow his business to the global audience. Soon thereafter, prominent art galleries began to take notice which helped ignite his career path moving forward. So he left the car garage where he had worked at for many years and moved into a 1200 square foot studio space and moved full throttle ahead.
To describe Seek One’s artwork from and art and fashion alignment, I would describe it as unique descriptive images that are quite often poised over splashes of bold color along with an added dose of defined dripped lines lending an air of movement.
In addition, there are wood panels wrapped in vintage newspapers and magazines, acrylics, oils, and resin all add to his unique style. The type of layering takes endless amounts of time and precision. More importantly. the artwork involves an eagle-eyed view in consideration of how the image will individually pop-out from the artwork or merge while becoming part of the overall painting process.
He enjoys working with the galleries and collectors who see his pieces as timeless images that everyone would be able to connect with. His commissions allow him to work directly with the client on the size of the piece, color and then trust in his style to finish a one of a kind. This is the most important factor in aligning with fashion consumers aiming to own a piece of art.
In speaking of co-branding, the first major attention he received was from famed rapperQuavo from the groupMigos. Before he knew it, celebrities, business owners fashion designers and even NBA athletes were all interested in his work.
Currently, Seek One’s artwork is being exhibited in top art galleries from Aspen to Palm Beach to New York City and the swanky international playground for the rich and famous, The Hamptons! His art has been featured in Art Basel as well as Market Art & Design in the Hamptons- which soon led to the birth of fashion co-branding proposals.
This young painter/entrepreneur aims to expand into new markets through galleries, strategic partnerships and collaborations.
I recently had the privilege to speak with artist Seek One about how he works with collectors on custom works with a laser focus size, colors and specific images, why as an artist he treats his work like a business- crucial to succeeding in today’s world and why when it comes to luxury fashion, he views it as ever-changing – as a“street artist” he’s become attracted to higher end street wear apparel such as Saint Laurent, Amiri, Chrome Hearts & Off White!
Contemporary Street Artist ‘Seek One’ Established His Successful Brand by Focusing on a Unique Style … [+] of Mixed Media Art
Courtesy of
Joseph DeAcetis: Talk to Forbes about what is your unique form of style in mix-media art that has led you to connecting with a handful of popular musicians, athletes and celebrities.
Seek One: My style has a unique blend of graffiti and bright colors that have been popular with the younger demographic. Then the twist of iconic pop culture icons which have resonated with an older demographic. Together this blend of art styles has attracted collectors from all over.
My collectors also like being able to work directly with me to design the perfect piece for their home. I work with many collectors on custom works which focus on details like size, certain colors and specific images. My works are all done from scratch starting with handmade wood panels all the way to the custom epoxy finishes. Together we are able to bring their idea to reality mixing their vision and my unique style.
JD: How does menswear fashion play a significant role for an artist in the realm of dressing for success?
SO: When it comes to fashion I see it the same way as art, both take considerable time to design and produce. Both are also ever changing. As a “street artist” there is a certain style I’ve fallen into, I’ve become attracted to higher end street wear clothing in the past few years. Brands like Saint Laurent, Amiri, Chrome Hearts, Theory & Off White are all in my daily rotation. Not only is this style comfortable but it can be accepted for almost any occasion in my option.
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 16: A model walks the runway during the Amiri Menswear Fall/Winter 2020-2021 … [+] fashion show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 16, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by SAVIKO/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
JD: What makes your artwork unique in both the creativity as well as how you promote it?
SO: I promote my work in both tradition and non-traditional ways. My bread and butter are Instagram, my gallery partners & press. The three of these are absolutely crucial to running my business, I believe they give me the most amount of exposure across all audiences.
From a creative prospective I’ve come up with a few strategies which have excelled my exposure. Partnering with international hotel & restaurant groups like Kimpton and LDV have put my art in a unique spotlight. From staging restaurants to creating custom designs have helped push my art in a non-traditional way to new audiences. As an artist I treat my work like a business, being an entrepreneur is crucial to succeeding in today’s world.
JD: Talk to Forbes about your one-of-a-kind style in art and in menswear?
SO: As I mentioned above, I think there is clear relationship between my style of art and fashion. Both have an urban/street vibe but come from a place of quality.
JD: What is your strategy for expanding markets through fashion partnerships and co-branding with luxury brands.
SO: Ideally, I would like to collaborate with a higher end street wear brand as I believe we have similar aesthetics and consumers. I have yet to do an official collaboration but am very interested in some type of collaborative partnership in the near future. This would be another non-traditional way to grow awareness of my art while combining two things I love, art & fashion.
JD: Who is your go to brand or brands?
SO: I really like brands such as Saint Laurent, Amiri, Chrome Hearts, Theory & Off White for their modified street style.
LONDON (AP) — With a few daubs of a paintbrush, the Brontë sisters have got their dots back.
More than eight decades after it was installed, a memorial to the three 19th-century sibling novelists in London’s Westminster Abbey was amended Thursday to restore the diaereses – the two dots over the e in their surname.
The dots — which indicate that the name is pronounced “brontay” rather than “bront” — were omitted when the stone tablet commemorating Charlotte, Emily and Anne was erected in the abbey’s Poets’ Corner in October 1939, just after the outbreak of World War II.
They were restored after Brontë historian Sharon Wright, editor of the Brontë Society Gazette, raised the issue with Dean of Westminster David Hoyle. The abbey asked its stonemason to tap in the dots and its conservator to paint them.
“There’s no paper record for anyone complaining about this or mentioning this, so I just wanted to put it right, really,” Wright said. “These three Yorkshire women deserve their place here, but they also deserve to have their name spelled correctly.”
It’s believed the writers’ Irish father Patrick changed the spelling of his surname from Brunty or Prunty when he went to university in England.
Raised on the wild Yorkshire moors, all three sisters died before they were 40, leaving enduring novels including Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre,” Emily’s “Wuthering Heights” and Anne’s “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”
Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Society, welcomed the restoration.
“As the Brontës and their work are loved and respected all over the world, it’s entirely appropriate that their name is spelled correctly on their memorial,” she said.
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.
Alleged Fraud Scheme
Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.
Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.
Massive Seizure of Artworks
In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.
Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.
Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed
In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.
Court Proceedings Ongoing
The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.
Impact on the Local Art Community
The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.
For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.
As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.
While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.
Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.
As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.
